Grass Roots Advocacy

The East St. Tammany Chamber prides itself on being the "Voice of Business". It is our job to bring to our members the most information on each candidate, to help you make a positive decision on the candidate that is best for you and who will represent your interest. With our upcoming election, below you will find each of the candidates, click on their photo to learn more about each of them and their responses to questions provided by the Grassroots Public Policy committee.

The East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce prides itself on being a Voice for Business on behalf of our membership on local, state and federal levels. Through membership events, some of our hosted events include:

> Meet the candidates' venue for members during election cycles
> Updates from elected officials on local, state and federal levels
> State of the City, Breakfast with the Mayor of Slidell
> Sponsored event hosting all Mayors of St. Tammany Parish
> State of the Parish, Breakfast with Parish President Patricia "Pat" Brister
> State Legislative Update scheduled for after the Louisiana Session
> Updates from State Treasurer and all State Secretary Departments

Other Public Policy Involvement Includes:

> Education committee and updates from the School Board working in coalition with Technical Colleges and Universities to merge with our businesses to discuss needs of workforce development.

> East St. Tammany Parish hosts a Grassroots Advocacy/Public Policy meeting every Second Friday of the month with guest speakers on issues developing in our community from local, state and federal offices.

> Host Town Hall Meetings with US Senator David Vitter and US Representative Steve Scalise.

> Joined with the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce and the Northshore Business Council to form a Joint Public Policy Committee (renamed in 2011 to Northshore Legislative Alliance) to promote unity within the Northshore Delegation of Louisiana elected Representatives and Senators.Through a hired Lobbyist and the Executive Committee of the NLA, a strong voice and presence is seen in Baton Rouge daily during legislative session on issues of infrastructure, business development, education and workforce development.
> Member of St. Tammany Health Care Alliance with St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce and all CEOs of local hospitals to have a larger voice for healthcare, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements and workforce.

The East St. Tammany Chamber was the first Chamber in the State of Louisiana to sign on to BluePrint Louisiana Grassroots Initiative for a Better Louisiana.

Each year the East St. Tammany Chamber, with the Parish Government, St. Tammany West Chamber, the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation and other community leaders attend Washington D.C. Mardi Gras to represent the interests of our region.

Because of the support of our members, relationships built with elected officials, and building coalitions with neighboring chambers and business councils, we are able to have a loud voice for our membership and the community in which we live, work and play.